I don’t know if other men relate to this…
Note : You can treat this post as you’re talking to your younger self and advising..
But I’ve always been a very nice, soft-hearted person.
Respectful. Caring. Always available for people I love.
And somewhere along the way, I started noticing something painful:
The more kind and understanding I was, the more I got overlooked, taken for granted, disrespected, or treated like I was “weak.”
Not by everyone.
But enough times to make me question myself.
Now I look at certain men and they have this calm masculine aura about them.
People naturally respect them. Their presence feels strong without them even trying.
I genuinely want to build that version of myself.
Not toxic.
Not emotionless.
Not rude.
Just stronger mentally. More respected. More masculine. More grounded.
So I wanna ask the men here:
What actually changed you?
Was it heartbreak?
Gym?
Discipline?
Money?
Learning boundaries?
Stopping people pleasing?
Silence?
Confidence?
Faith?
What helped you build your presence and masculinity while still staying a good person?
Would genuinely appreciate real advice from men who went through this themselves.